President
Minnesota Electrical Association & Electrical Training Network
Minneapolis
Describe your event.
We come to Bloomington every other year. We were there in March 2005 and stayed at the Sheraton Bloomington (formerly the Radisson South), and this year we will be back this month and plan to stay at the Crowne Plaza. This year will be our Annual Meeting and Conference, and we will be doing our strategic planning, board meeting, educational seminar, awards dinner meeting, and a family package.
Why did you decide to host the meeting in Bloomington?
Bloomington has a number of great hotels, and the big draw for the spouses is the Mall of America. The Bloomington CVB has put together a Big Ticket promotion that offers a great price for families that want to plan a fun getaway. It includes three days of fun at the Minnesota Zoo, the amusement park and aquarium at the Mall of America, the Science Museum, and more! Our members with younger children are showing interest in extending their stay from Thursday and Friday nights to include Saturday night.
What surprised you the most about Bloomington?
The extraordinary quality of service from the Bloomington CVB. We were transitioning staff and were behind schedule in booking our meeting space. I called and Jan Tolle MacDonald took my basic information, worked with me to select a list of facilities that met our needs, and within one day I had three suitable locations. We interviewed them and made our final selection by the end of the week. It was an enormous relief to receive this amazing level of service.
What did your attendees seems to enjoy the most?
We schedule a meeting in Bloomington every other year, and they love the Mall of America. It has an endless selection of good shopping for spouses and fun things to do with children.
Was anybody particularly helpful?
The sales and management team at the Crowne Plaza was well above average in responding quickly and working within our budget to meet our needs. Kathy Botner, our sales person, was particularly helpful.
What were some of the unique off-site venues that you used?
In the past, we have taken people to Mystic Lake Casino for an evening of gambling and a show.
How does Bloomington compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
It’s top-notch.
Would you return?
We will continue to return.
Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Bloomington?
Call the CVB and ask for Jan. Bonnie Carlson [the CVB’s president and CEO], her board and staff have a well-oiled machine! They will make it a pleasure to do business in Bloomington.